Heat Exchanger

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a heat exchanger, including flat tubes and at least one fin, wherein each flat tube includes a first tube section, a bent tube section and a second tube section, which are connected in sequence; a plurality of flat tubes are provided, and the plurality of flat tubes are arranged in an array; and an extension direction of each fin is perpendicular to an extension direction of the each flat tube, the each fin is connected to at least a part of the plurality of bent tube sections, and the each fin shields at least a part of the structures of the plurality of bent tube sections.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present disclosure is a national stage application of International Patent Application No. PCT/CN20211088902, which is filed on Apr. 22, 2021. The International Patent Application claims priority to Patent Application No. 202021143554.4, filed to the China National Intellectual Property Administration on Jun. 18, 2020 and entitled “Heat Exchanger”.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of heat exchangers, and in particular, to a heat exchanger.

BACKGROUND

In a bent heat exchanger known to inventors, since a bent tube section of a flat tube is bent and twisted, no fin is arranged at the bent tube section, and there is a relatively large gap between two bent tube sections after being bent, which may generate air leakage and thus affect the heat exchange performance. In addition, there is no protection from the fin, so the bent tube section of the flat tube is directly exposed to the outside, and thus is easily damaged by corrosion and external forces.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a heat exchanger, so as to improve the heat exchange performance and durability of the heat exchanger.

Some of the present disclosure provide a heat exchanger, including: a plurality of flat tubes, wherein each flat tube includes a first tube section, a bent tube section and a second tube section, which are connected in sequence, the plurality of flat tubes are arranged in an array, and there is a gap between two adjacent bent tube sections; and at least one fin, wherein an extension direction of each fin is perpendicular to an extension direction of the each flat tube, the each fin is connected to some or all of the plurality of bent tube sections, and the each fin shields the gaps in the plurality of bent tube sections.

In some embodiments, the each fin includes a baffle, a first end plate and a second end plate, the first end plate and the second end plate are respectively arranged on two ends of the baffle, wherein the baffle shields one sides of the plurality of bent tube sections, and the first end plate and the second end plate are connected to two bent tube sections among the plurality of bent tube sections in a one-to-one correspondence manner.

In some embodiments, a plurality of fins are provided, the baffle of at least one of the plurality of fins shields first sides of the plurality of bent tube sections, and the baffles of the other fins among the plurality of fins shield second sides of the plurality of bent tube sections.

In some embodiments, the each fin is provided with a plurality of grooves, the plurality of grooves are formed at intervals in a length direction of the each fin, and at least a part of the structure of each bent tube section is located in one of the plurality of grooves.

In some embodiments, a number of the grooves is equal to a number of the bent tube sections, and the plurality of bent tube sections are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of grooves.

In some embodiments, a part of the each fin, which is located between two adjacent bent tube sections, is of an arc-shaped structure, a flat plate structure or a V-shaped structure.

In some embodiments, a number of the grooves is greater than a number of the bent tube sections; and there is at least one groove, which does not match the bent tube sections, between two adjacent bent tube sections.

In some embodiments, the each fin includes a plurality of folded plates, wherein the plurality of folded plates are connected in sequence, two adjacent folded plates are arranged to form a V-shaped structure, and one bent tube section is arranged between two adjacent folded plates.

In some embodiments, the each fin is made of an aluminum foil.

In some embodiments, an electric potential of the fin is lower than an electric of each bent tube section.

By applying the technical solutions of some embodiments of the present disclosure, a heat exchanger is provided. The heat exchanger includes at least one flat tube and at least one fin, wherein each flat tube includes a first tube section, a bent tube section and a second tube section, which are connected in sequence; a plurality of flat tubes are provided, and the plurality of flat tubes are arranged in an array; and an extension direction of each fin is perpendicular to an extension direction of the flat tubes, the each fin is connected to at least a part of the plurality of bent tube sections, and the fin shields or covers at least a part of the structures of the plurality of bent tube sections. By means of the solution, since the each fin is arranged at the positions of the plurality of bent tube sections, the plurality of gaps among the plurality of bent tube sections are shielded by the fin in areas where the plurality of bent tube sections are located, thereby avoiding air leakage between the gaps, and improving the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger; and moreover, by providing the at least one fin, the bent tube sections can be protected, thereby reducing corrosion or damage to the bent tube sections, and thus improving the durability of the heat exchanger. Moreover, the extension direction of the at least one fin is perpendicular to the extension direction of the flat tubes, which facilitates the fin to shield the plurality of gaps among the plurality of bent tube sections, thereby improving the wind shielding effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, which constitute a part of the present disclosure, are used for providing a further understanding of the present disclosure, and illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure and descriptions thereof are used for explaining the present disclosure, but do not constitute an improper limitation to the present disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a heat exchanger provided in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic structural diagram of the heat exchanger in FIG. 1 before being bent;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 2 at the positions of a bent tube section and a fin;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a heat exchanger provided in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure at the positions of a bent tube section and a fin;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of a heat exchanger provided in Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure at the positions of a bent tube section and a fin;

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a heat exchanger provided in Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure at the positions of a bent tube section and a fin;

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of a heat exchanger provided in Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure at the positions of a bent tube section and a fin;

FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of a heat exchanger provided in Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure at the positions of a bent tube section and a fin;

FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of a heat exchanger provided in Embodiment 7 of the present disclosure at the positions of a bent tube section and a fin; and

FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of a heat exchanger provided in Embodiment 8 of the present disclosure at the positions of a bent tube section and a fin.

The above drawings include the following reference signs:

10. flat tube; 11. first tube section; 12. bent tube section; 13. second tube section; 20. fin; 21. baffle; 22. first end plate; 23. second end plate; 24. groove; 25. folded plate; 30. collecting tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A clear and complete description of technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be given below, in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the embodiments described below are merely a part, but not all, of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, and disclosures or uses thereof. All of other embodiments, obtained by those ordinary skilled in the art based on the embodiments in the present disclosure without any creative effort, fall into the protection scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in the figures, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a heat exchanger, including: a plurality of flat tubes 10, wherein each flat tube 10 includes a first tube section 11, a bent tube section 12 and a second tube section 13, which are connected in sequence, the plurality of flat tubes 10 are arranged in an array, and there is a gap between two adjacent bent tube sections 12; and at least one fin 20, wherein an extension direction of each fin 20 is perpendicular to an extension direction of the flat tubes 10, the at least one fin 20 is connected to at least a part of the plurality of bent tube sections 12, and the at least one fin 20 shields the gaps in the plurality of bent tube sections 12.

By means of the solution, since the at least one fin 20 is arranged at the positions of the plurality of bent tube sections 12, the plurality of gaps among the plurality of bent tube sections 12 are able to be shielded by the at least one fin 20 in areas where the plurality of bent tube sections 12 are located, thereby avoiding air leakage between the gaps, and improving the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger; and moreover, by providing the at least one fin 20, the bent tube sections 12 can be protected, thereby reducing corrosion or damage to the bent tube sections 12, and thus improving the durability of the heat exchanger. Moreover, the extension direction of the at least one fin 20 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the flat tubes 10, which facilitates the at least one fin 20 to shield the plurality of gaps among the plurality of bent tube sections 12, thereby improving the wind shielding effect. By providing the at least one fin 20, increases the heat exchange area and enhancing the heat exchange performance of the heat exchanger.

In some embodiments, the at least one fin 20 is made of a metal material with good ductility, and during a bending process of the bent tube sections 12, the at least one fin 20 is easily deformed along with the bent tube sections 12, so that after the bent tube sections 12 are bent, the at least one fin 20 still shield the plurality of gaps among the plurality of bent tube sections 12.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , each fin 20 includes a baffle 21, a first end plate 22 and a second end plate 23, wherein the first end plate 22 and the second end plate 23 are respectively arranged on two ends of the baffle 21, the baffle 21 shields a first side of the plurality of bent tube sections 12, and the first end plate 22 and the second end plate 23 are connected with two bent tube sections 12 among the plurality of bent tube sections 12 in a one-to-one correspondence manner. By means of respectively connecting the first end plate 22 and the second end plate 23 to the two bent tube sections 12, the each fin 20 can be fixed. The plurality of gaps among the plurality of bent sections 12 can be shielded by the baffle 21, so as to avoid air leakage of the gaps. Moreover, by means of the above settings, the structure is simple, and manufacture is facilitated.

In some embodiments, a plurality of fins 20 is provided, at least one baffle 21 of at least one of the plurality of fins 20 shields a first side of the plurality of bent tube sections 12, and baffles 21 of the other fins 20 among the plurality of fins 20 shield a second side of the plurality of bent tube sections 12. In this way, both sides of the plurality of bent tube sections 12 are provided with the fins 20, which is able to improve the shielding effect of the gaps, and is able to better protect the bent tube sections 12. The both sides of the plurality of bent tube sections 12 can be understood as outer sides and inner sides of the plurality of bent tube sections 12 after the bent tube sections 12 are bent.

As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 9 , the each fin 20 is provided with a plurality of grooves 24, the plurality of grooves 24 are formed at intervals in a length direction of the fin 20, and at least a part of each bent tube section 12 is located in one of the plurality of grooves 24. In this way, the connection strength between the fin 20 and the plurality of bent tube sections 12 is high, and during a process of bending the fin 20 along with the bent tube sections 12, the fin is easily deformed, and can also well shield the gaps after being deformed. In an embodiment, the fin 20 is set to be a wavy structure.

The number of the grooves 24 may be set to be equal to that of the bent tube sections 12, and the plurality of bent tube sections 12 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of grooves 24.

In some embodiments, the number of the grooves 24 may be set to be greater than that of the bent tube sections 12; and there is at least one groove 24, which does not match the bent tube sections 12, between two adjacent bent tube sections 12. In this way, the fin 20 is more susceptible to deformation while being bent together with the bent tube sections 12.

In some embodiments, a part of the fin 20, which is located between two adjacent bent tube sections 12, is set to be an arc-shaped structure, a flat plate structure or a V-shaped structure.

As shown in FIG. 10 , in another embodiment, the fin 20 includes a plurality of folded plates 25, which are connected in sequence, two adjacent folded plates 25 are arranged to form a V-shaped structure, and one bent tube section 12 is arranged between two adjacent folded plates 25. In this way, the fin 20 shields the plurality of gaps in the plurality of bent tube sections 12, and after the fin 20 are bent along with the bent tube sections 12, the fin does not separated from the bent tube sections 12, such that the connection effect is good.

In the above embodiment, the fin 20 is made of an aluminum foil. Because the aluminum foil material is good in thermal conductivity and is easy to deform, during the bending process of the bent tube sections 12, the fin can be easily deformed along with the bent tube sections 12, so as to maintain to shield or cover the gaps, thereby improving the heat exchange and protection effects.

In some embodiments, the fin 20 is welded with the bent tube section 12, so that the connection strength is higher. The aluminum foil may be formed by compounding two or more layers, wherein the melting point of one layer is high, and the melting point of other layer is low; or the melting point of a surface layer is low, and the melting point of an intermediate layer is high. During welding, the layer with the low melting point cooperates with the bent tube section 12.

In some embodiments, an electric potential of the fin 20 is lower than an electric potential of the bent tube section 12. In this way, during the use of the heat exchanger, in the case of corrosion, the fin 20 with the lower electric potential is firstly corroded, and then the bent tube section 12 is corroded, so that the bent tube section 12 is protected by the fin 20, and the durability of the heat exchanger is thus improved.

In some embodiments, the heat exchanger further includes main fins, and the main fins are arranged between adjacent first tube sections 11 and between adjacent second tube sections 13. By arranging the main fins, the heat exchange area and the heat exchange effect can be improved, and the flat tube 10 can be protected. Specifically, the main fins extend along the extension direction of the first tube sections 11 and the second tube sections 13.

In some embodiments, the heat exchanger further includes two collecting tubes 30, wherein each first tube section 11 is connected with one collecting tube 30 in the two collecting tubes, and each second tube section 13 is connected with the other collecting tube 30 in the two collecting tubes. The extension direction of the fin 20 is parallel to a length direction of the collecting tube 30.

The foregoing descriptions are some embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, the present disclosure may have various modifications and changes. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, or improvements, made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure, shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat exchanger, comprising: a plurality of flat tubes, wherein each flat tube comprises a first tube section, a bent tube section and a second tube section which are connected in sequence, the plurality of flat tubes are arranged in an array, and there is a gap between two adjacent bent tube sections; and at least one fin, wherein an extension direction of each fin is perpendicular to an extension direction of the each flat tube, the each fin is connected to at least a part of the plurality of bent tube sections, and the each fin shields gaps in a plurality of bent tube sections.
 2. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the each fin comprises a baffle, a first end plate and a second end plate, the first end plate and the second end plate are respectively arranged on two ends of the baffle, the baffle shields one sides of the plurality of bent tube sections, and the first end plate and the second end plate are connected to two bent tube sections among the plurality of bent tube sections in a one-to-one correspondence manner.
 3. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein a plurality of fins are provided, a baffle of at least one of the plurality of fins shields first sides of the plurality of bent tube sections, and the baffles of the other fins among the plurality of fins (20) shield second sides of the plurality of bent tube sections.
 4. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the each fin is provided with a plurality of grooves, the plurality of grooves are formed at intervals in a length direction of the each fin, and at least a part of each bent tube section is located in one of the plurality of grooves.
 5. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4, wherein a number of the grooves is equal to that of the bent tube sections, and the plurality of bent tube sections are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of grooves.
 6. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 5, wherein a part of the each fin, which is located between two adjacent bent tube sections, is of an arc-shaped structure, a flat plate structure or a V-shaped structure.
 7. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 4, wherein a number of the grooves is greater than a number of the bent tube sections; and there is at least one groove, which does not match the bent tube sections, between two adjacent bent tube sections.
 8. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the each fin comprises a plurality of folded plates, wherein the plurality of folded plates are connected in sequence, two adjacent folded plates in the plurality of folded plates are arranged to form a V-shaped structure, and one bent tube section is arranged between two adjacent folded plates.
 9. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the each fin is made of an aluminum foil.
 10. The heat exchanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electric potential of the each fin is lower than an electric potential of each bent tube section. 